US Army investigating attack helicopter ‘photoshoot’ at Kid Rock’s home
The U.S. Army said it had opened an investigation into an apparent visit to conservative singer Kid Rock's home by two AH-64 Apache attack helicopters.
In a social media post over the weekend, the singer shared a video of himself saluting an Army helicopter hovering over his so-called "Southern White House" near Nashville.
"Fort Campbell leadership is aware of a video circulating on social media depicting AH-64 Apache helicopters operating in the vicinity of a private residence associated with Mr. Robert Ritchie (also known as 'Kid Rock')," 101st Airborne Division spokesperson Maj. Jonathon Bless said in a statement. "The command has initiated an investigation to review the circumstances surrounding this activity."
"The 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) and Fort Campbell maintain strict standards for aviation safety, professionalism, and adherence to established flight regulations," the statement continued. "We take all concerns regarding aircraft operations and their impact on the surrounding community seriously."
The helicopters were also seen over a "No Kings" protest in downtown Nashville. Bless told NewsChannel 5 that he could not explain why the Army flew over the demonstration.
"This is a level of respect that s--- for brains Governor of California will never know," Rock wrote in his social media post on Saturday. "God Bless America and all those who have made the ultimate sacrifice to defend her."
Occupy Democrats condemned what was called a "photoshoot."
"Why are taxpayers paying for military helicopters to fly past Kid Rock's house for a photoshoot?" the group wrote on Facebook.
Pete Hegseth handed yet another court loss for curtailing reporters
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth suffered yet another loss in his legal fight to control the Pentagon press corps.
In a brief order issued on Tuesday, U.S. District Judge Paul Friedman issued a preliminary injunction in favor of The New York Times, barring Hegseth from enforcing a policy that effectively requires members of the press to be led around by an escort in the Pentagon unless they agree to an onerous set of restrictions on their activities that include not publishing any leaks they might receive.
Hegseth has lost several cases over this issue.
In April, Friedman slammed Hegseth for trying to circumvent prior rulings and sneak the same illegal press rules that had already been blocked back into effect.
The Pentagon press rules had already forced almost every legacy press outlet, including right-leaning ones, to pull out, allowing in a mix of far-right bloggers and social media influencers who only have positive messages to say about the administration.
All of this comes as Hegseth is separately under fire for denying military promotions in a suspicious pattern against well-qualified female and minority officers — though some experts have suggested the real motive is even darker than racial or gender bias.
